Self-gripping device with preformed gripping elements

ABSTRACT

A self gripping device is disclosed which includes a sheet member containing gripping elements having distinct gripping means integrally formed therein within a frame in substantially the same plane as the sheet, the gripping elements being adapted to be positioned, for example by bending, in a generally upright position from one or both sides of the sheet for self gripping engagement with a receiving layer. The gripping elements may be positioned parallel to one side of the sheet, crosswise or in any predetermined orientation with respect to each other and to the sheet. When bent out of plane, the gripping elements may be perpendicular to the sheet or at any angle less than ninety degrees. A process for making the self gripping device, apparatus for erecting the gripping elements, and a process for rendering a surface self gripping utilizing the self gripping device are also disclosed.

Brumlik 1 Aug. 19, 1975 SELF-GRIPPING DEVICE WITH PREFORMED GRIPPINGELEMENTS [75] Inventor: George C. Brumlik, Montclair, NJ.

[73] Assignee: Ingrip Fasteners, Inc., New York,

[22] Filed: Dec. 10, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 423,611

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 179,880,Sept. 13, 1971,

abandoned.

[52] U.S. C1. 24/204; 24/87 R [51] Int. Cl. A44B 17/00 [58] Field ofSearch 24/204 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 613,221 8/1898Allen 24/204 920,808 5/1909 Alcott... 24/204 2,211,045 8/1940 Ba1fe.....24/204 2,496,820 2/1950 Smithm. 24/204 3,011,226 12/1961 Menge 85/133,057,354 10/1962 Roberts 24/204 3,295,155 l/1967 Belsky 24/2043,304,106 2/1967 McCormack 85/13 3,546,754 12/1970 Erb 24/204 R3,667,337 6/1972 Burke 85/13 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,912,74410/1970 Germany ..24/204 2,047,243 3/1971 France 24/204 PrimaryExaminer-Bernard A. Gelak Attorney, Agent, or FirmBurgess, Dinklage &Sprung [5 7] ABSTRACT A self gripping device is disclosed which includesa sheet member containing gripping elements having distinct grippingmeans integrally formed therein within a frame in substantially the sameplane as the sheet, the gripping elements being adapted to bepositioned, for example by bending, in a generally upright position fromone or both sides of the sheet for self gripping engagement with areceiving layer. The gripping elements may be positioned parallel to oneside of the sheet, crosswise or in any predetermined orientation withrespect to each other and to the sheet. When bent out of plane, thegripping elements may be perpendicular to the sheet or at any angle lessthan ninety degrees. A process for making the self gripping device,apparatus for erecting the gripping elements, and a process forrendering a surface self gripping utilizing the self gripping device arealso disclosed.

8 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures mum" 1 SELF-GRIPPING DEVICE WITH PREFORMEDGRIPPING ELEMENTS This is a continuation of application Ser. No.179,880, filed Sept. 13, 1971, now abandoned.

quently attached to render areas of articles such as wall studs selfgripping.

Self gripping devices can replace conventional fastening techniques suchas nailing, gluing, stapling, sewing and the like. Generally these selfgripping devices have a plurality of gripping elements such as curved orbarbed hooks which are brought into self gripping engagement, wherebythe gripping elements penetrate and become lodged in an opposingsurface. The self gripping attachment can be permanent or releasable forrepositioning or re-attachment. Moreover, self gripping deviceseliminate the criticalities involved in alignment and provide anextremely fast, and efficient mean's'for attaching or mounting articles.

With the advent of self gripping devices it has become important to makethese devices readily available to the individual home owner as well asthe commercial and industrial users in an easy to handle and use form.

SUMlVlARY The present invention provides aself gripping devicecontaining passive preformed gripping elements in a sheet member whichcan be rolled, packaged, shipped and handled without difficulty and thenactivated by either erecting the gripping elements approximatelysimultaneously with the application of self gripping device to a surfaceto render the same self gripping or erecting the gripping elements andthen applying a readily, stripable protective layer to the uprightelements. l v

' A self gripping device of the invention includes a sheet membercontaining gripping elements having distinct gripping means integrallyformed therein within a frame in substantially the same plane asthe'sheet, the gripping elements being adapted to be positioned, for

example by bending, in a generally upright position from oneor bothsides of the sheet for self gripping engage ment with a receiving layer.It is important to note that the gripping elements are capable of selfgripping when they are erected and need no additional forming to makethem self gripping. The self gripping means are formed directly in thesheet. Process for making the self gripping device, apparatus forerecting the gripping elements for rendering a surface self grippingutilizing the self gripping device, are further embodiments of theinvention.

This invention by its very nature affords an almost infinite degree ofcontrol over the orientation and type or types of gripping elements. Anynumber of gripping elements may be positioned in a sheet in any desiredpattern, orientation or combination of various types of grippingelements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 2 is a top plane view of an alternateembodiment of a sheet member having integrally formed gripping elementspositioned within a frame therein.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the gripping elements of FIG. 2erected to the upright position.

FIGS. 4a-4f are side elevational views of several suitable grippingelements which can be integrally formed in the sheet member of theinvention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention wherein the strip member similar to FIG. 1 is provided with anadhesive back- FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating preferredapparatus of the invention for erecting the gripping element to theupright position.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a strip member of the inventionshown wound about a core.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodimentwherein upright gripping elements are lodged in a stripable protectivelayer.

FIG. 9 is a collapsed sectional view taken along line of 9-9 of FIG. 8showing also a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. I0 is a sectional view along line 10-10 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment wherein thesheet member is in the form of a patch with gripping elements bent outfrom both sides thereof.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a modification of the embodiment ofFIGS. 2 and 3 wherein gripping ele ments of different shapes arepositioned within a common frame.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a self gripping device of theinvention in self gripping engagement with a receiving layer.

DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawing and in particular to FIGS. 1and 2, the self gripping device includes a sheet member 10 containing aplurality of gripping elements 12 which are integrally formed in thesheet 10. The gripping elements 12 can be formed in the same plane asthe sheet 10 or slightly out of plane and parallel to the sheet 10 asshown for example in FIGS. 5 and 10 discussed below. Thus, the termsubstantially is intended to encompass both of these configurations.

As shown in FIG. 1, gripping elements 12 can be formed by cutting sheet10 in the form of the gripping elements desired. In FIGS. 2 and 12 thegripping element 12 are formed in a frame by removing portion 14 of thesheet 10 immediately surrounding the gripping element or elements to anerect, upright position.

The gripping elements 12 are adapted to bepositioned or erected, forexample by bending, at the point that the base of the gripping elementsare attached to the strip in an upright position from the sheet 10 inself gripping engagement with an opposing receiving layer. FIG. 3illustrates the self gripping device of FIG. 2 with the grippingelements 12 erected to an upright position.

The gripping elements 12 in the sheet member 10 may be uniformly orrandomly distributedand can be oriented in the same direction or inseveral different directions.

It is also within the scope of the present invention to erect grippingelements 12 from both sides of a strip member 10 in a uniform,alternating or random fashion as is shown for example in FIG. II wherethe sheet member is in the form of a round patch 90 with grippingelements 12 bent outward from both sides thereof.

FIGS. 4a through 40 illustrate various configurations for the grippingelements.

In FIG. 4a an elongated flat member is shown having at least onedownwardly inclined narrow V-shaped cuts or notches 42 therein whichself-grips a receiving layer by engagement of the notches 42 therewith.The gripping element 12 of FIG. 4a is particularly suited for grippingfilaments of fibers loose at one end or widely secured to two or morelocations.

In FIGS. 41; and c the gripping elements 12 have one or more curvedhooks 44 and in FIGS. 4d and e the gripping elements 12 have one or morebarbs 46. In FIG. 40 the curved book 44 terminates at the top of thecurve or it may curve slightly downward to provide a lower retaining orself-gripping force as compared to the more sharply curved hook 44 ofFIG. 4c. The gripping element 12 of FIG. 4d is also provided with asharp edge 47 on the interior of the barb 46 (or it may be on theinterior of hooks 44) and the shaft of the gripping element which isespecially suited for gripping fibers or filaments loose at one end orwidely secured'to two or more locations.

In FIGS. and the sheet 10 is shown to include gripping elements 12 bestat 52 parallel and out of plane to sheet 10 and a layer of an adhesivematerial 50 which serves to secure the strip to a surface. The layer 50can be formed from a hot melt adhesive, a solvent activated adhesive, apressure sensitive adhesive, solder, brazing, alloys and the like. Inerecting gripping elements 12 in the plane of sheet 10, the adhesivelayer 50 may be of such a nature that it becomes separated from thegripping elements 12 when they are erected or upon self grippingengagement with a receiving layer. However, as shown in FIG. 10, if theelements 12 are slightly above but still substantially within the planeof the sheet, the adhesive layer 50 does not coat the elements but onlythe back of sheet 10.

In FIG. 7 a strip member 10 containing preformed gripping elements 12 isshown wound around a core which has a diameter substantially larger thanthe length of the gripping elements integrally formed in strip 10.

FIGS. 6 illustrates suitable apparatus for erecting gripping elernents12 in a sheet member 10 such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The apparatusincludes means for feeding a length of the sheet 10 (such as the roll ofFIG. 7) and and means for engaging the gripping elements 12 to bend themupward (or downward depending on the point of reference) from the sheet10. In the embodiment shown, a reciprocating member 70 is provided witha plurality of lugs 72 which are aligned and spaced so as to engage thegripping elements 12 to erect same. Also shown is a plate member 74having openings 76 therein which cooperate with the lugs 72. The plate74 is adapted to act as a support for the strip '10 while the grippingelements 12 are bent downwards therefrom through the opening 76.

' The profile of lugs 72 may be rounded as shown or sharp edged toprovide control over the typeof bend desired in erecting grippingelements 12.

Itis also within the scope of this invention to utilize a secondreciprocating member on the opposite side of plate 74 to erect grippingelements 12 from both sides of sheet 10. In this embodiment, pressuremeans 78 may be associated with the apparatus to force the, grippingelements on one side of the strip into self gripping engagement with areceiving layer. This can be done sequentially or almost simultaneouslywith the erection of the gripping elements.

Means may also be provided to activate an adhesive layer on a strip 10such as layer 50 shown in FIG. 5. For example, if the adhesive layer isa hot melt adhesive, a

source of energy such as a flame, electric heating ele ment or electricarc, infrared radar or an ultrasonic source, and the like, can bepositioned to activate the adhesive at the same time the grippingelements 12 are being erected. This makes it possible to attach the selfgripping device with the elements 12 upright to the surface of ourarticle to render same self gripping.

It should be understood that the lugs 72 on reciprocating member canalso be mounted on a drum or cylinder for rotation and registration withcooperating plate or drum means having slots therein similar to plate 74for successively blending gripping elements upward from one or bothsides of a sheet member. It should also be noted that suitable cuttingmeans such as reciprocating blade 80 can be utilized with the apparatusof the invention to sever the strip member at a desired location. I

For certain applications, it is desirable to erect the elements 12 andthen cover them with a stripable protective layer such as shown byreference numeral 80 is. FIGS. 8 and 9. The layer 80 has ,a thicknessapproximately equal or greater than the height of elements 12 and can beformed from any penetratable porous or fibrous material such aspolyurethane foam or any of the materials mentioned below for thereceiving layer The layer 80 can also be readily utilized with theembodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 11.

The protective layer 80 is self gripped by the elements l2 and can bestripped ofi' to expose the gripping elements 12 for use. However, thelayer 80 can be made of a resilient material such as felt, carpet-likematerials, sponge, plastic foam and the like, that remains in place overthe elements 12. In this instance, when the layer 80 is compressed, theelements 12 protrude out of the layer80 and are then capable of selfgripping engagement with a receiving layer or a similar self grippingdevice with a protective layer as is shown in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 13, the process of the invention for rendering asurface self gripping broadly, includes the steps of bending thegripping elements l2upward from the sheet member 10 and securing strip10 to a surface 102. The sheet member 10 can be secured to the surfaceby any of the techniques noted previously, for example, by using anadhesive layer as illustrated in FIG. 5 or by bending gripping elementsupward from both sides of the sheet and forcing the gripping elements onone side of the sheet into self gripping engagement with the surface.The upright element 12 can then penetrate and become lodged in receivinglayer 101 which is shown attached to backing member 100.

The sheet member 10 may be formed from metal, plastic, glassor laminatesincluding any of these, and in addition, for example, paper, cardboard,carpet, porous, woven and non-woven materials and the like. The sheetmember 10 is preferably made of metal such as steel. stainless steel.copper, copper alloys such as berylium-copper, bronze, aluminum,titanium, and the like. Particularly useful for the sheet member 10 arelaminates of plasticand metal. It should also be noted thatthe sheetmember l0 can be coated with conventional coating substances such aslacquer, varnish, latex and the like before or after preforming thegripping ele ments therein or erecting same to an upright position. Thesheet member can also be selectively coated so as to leave bare thegripping elements such as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

The gripping elements of the device of the invention can be preformed ina strip or sheet member according to the process of the invention usingany number of techniques such as stamping, cutting. masking and etchingusing photographic or printing masking techniques, and the like, andthereafter erecting the grip ping elements from one or both sides of thesheet. Etch ing is a particularly desirable technique in that it permitstailoring of the shape and profile of the gripping elements. Forexample, the gripping elements themselves can be partially masked so asto form an interior or exterior sharp or serrated edge on the grippingelements such as shown in FIG. 43.

The nature of the self gripping action by the upright gripping elementsmay be permanent or reversible depending upon the nature of the grippingelements and the receiving layers which come into self grippingengagement therewith. For example, the gripping ele ments may be formedin the shape of rigid hooks or barbs which permanently self grip a rigidreceiving layer such as metal mesh. On the other hand the grippingelements may be resilient or may be provided with a cutting edge asnoted previously to facilitate removal from a receiving layer such as afibrous or carpeblike receiving layer. In general, the gripping elementsare sufficiently stiff such that they resist deflection which wouldotherwise prevent them from penetrating and becoming lodged in thereceiving layer. For this reason also, it is preferred that the grippingelements be bent upward at right angles from the strip member, but theymay also be inclined at a lesser angle depending on the particularapplication of the self gripping device.

The gripping elements generally range in length from about 0.005 toabout 0.750.

Suitable receiving layers for self gripping engagement with the selfgripping device of the invention can be made of any material which issufficiently soft or porous to permit the gripping elements to penetrateand lodge therein. The thickness of the receiving layer de pends on thenature and size of the gripping elements and generally falls within therange of 0.002 to 0.75 inch. Suitable receiving layers include woven,nonwoven and knitted fabrics and fibers, carpet-like materials, moldedand foamed plastics, wood, cork, leather, paper, cardboard, metal andplastic mesh, expanded and perforated sheet materials fabricated frommetals and plastics, and the like.

The self-gripping device of the invention has wide utility. The devicemay be used in general to efficiently and quickly render virtually anysurface self gripping. For example, wall studs may be rapidly renderedself gripping utilizing a strip member wherein gripping elements arebent upwards on both sides thereof. Once ap plied to the wall studs,wall panels including fiberboard and gypsum board can be rapidlyattached to the self gripping wall studs. The invention also providesfor delicate and economic control over the mounting pattern andorientation of the self gripping device. They can be readily used byindividuals and commercial users to render selected areas of surfaces orentire surfaces of articles-self gripping, such as wall claddingmaterials, panels, tile. sheets, decorative trim and the like.

Returning to the drawing and in particular to FIG. 4], a furthergripping element 12, is shown to include an elongated flat member havingat least one downwardly inclined integral linguiform tab 40 thereonwhich selfgrips a receiving layer comprising, for example, fibers and/orfilaments by engagement of the tabs 40 therewith. Thus, the grippingelements with their distinct tab gripping means are both substantiallyin the same plane as the sheet. This is true for FIGS. 1 and 2 where theelements 12 are flat and for FIGS. 4f, 5, and 10 where the grippingelements and the gripping means are slightly above but stillsubstantially within the same plane as the sheet 10.

It should be noted further that the self gripping device of theinvention can be flexible, resilient, stiff and- /or rigidv Depending onthe relative dimensions, a sheet member having preformed grippingelements therein can be rolled as described above in comnection withFIG. 7 whereas the individual self gripping devices formed therefrom canbe stiff or rigid. Also any self gripping device of the invention madeof metal may have its base and/or upright gripping elements posttreatedusing metallurgical techniques to modify their physical or chemicalproperties such as hardness and the like. Such techniques include forexample quenching, tempering, precipitation hardening, cold forming,nitridation, cladding for example by flame spraying, case-carburizationand the like. The post treating can also involve reorienting thegripping elements after they are erected as for example by twisting themabout their vertical axes as shown in FIG. 8.

The apparatus of the invention may be used to secure a plurality of selfgripping devices in place. The apparatus may be used in tandum to secureself gripping devices of the invention to particular articles such asintermediate and component parts of various assemblies includingexterior and interior assembly panels and parts, wall panels, trim andthe like.

What is claimed is:

1. Self gripping device comprising a sheet member containing amultiplicity of gripping elements distributed in all directions oversaid sheet member, said gripping elements having distinct gripping meansintegrally formed therein within a frame said gripping means beingoriented transverse to the longitudinal axis of said sheet member, saidgripping elements and the distinct gripping means being bent paralleland generally in a common plane and out of plane to the sheet, saidgripping elements being adapted to be positioned in a generally uprightposition from one side of said sheet for self gripping engagement with areceiving layer, the opposite side of said sheet having an adhesivelayer applied thereto without coating the parallel out of plane grippingelements.

2. Self gripping device of claim 1 wherein said gripping means arebarbs.

3. Self gripping device of claim 1 wherein the gripping elements arepositioned in a contour frame.

4. Self gripping device of claim 1 wherein more than one grippingelements are each positioned in an open frame.

5. Self gripping device of claim I wherein the gripping elements havemore than one shape.

7 8 6. Self gripping device of claim 1 wherein the grip- 8. Selfgripping device of claim 1 wherein the gripping means comprise at leastone of a curved hook. ping elements are elongated fl members having at7. Self gripping device of claim 1 wherein the gripping means compriseone of a curved hook with a sharp edge on the interior of the hook.

least one downwardly inclined narrow V-shaped cuts.

1. Self gripping device comprising a sheet member containing amultiplicity of gripping elements distributed in all directions oversaid sheet member, said gripping elements having distinct gripping meansintegrally formed therein within a frame said gripping means beingoriented transverse to the longitudinal axis of said sheet member, saidgripping elements and the distinct gripping means being bent paralleland generally in a common plane and out of plane to the sheet, saidgripping elements being adapted to be positioned in a generally uprightposition from one side of said sheet for self gripping engagement with areceiving layer, the opposite side of said sheet having an adhesivelayer applied thereto without coating the parallel out of plane grippingelements.
 2. Self gripping device of claim 1 wherein said gripping meansare barbs.
 3. Self gripping device of claim 1 wherein the grippingelements are positioned in a contour frame.
 4. Self gripping device ofclaim 1 wherein more than one gripping elements are each positioned inan open frame.
 5. Self gripping device of claim 1 wherein the grippingelements have more than one shape.
 6. Self gripping device of claim 1wherein the gripping means comprise at least one of a curved hook. 7.Self gripping device of claim 1 wherein the gripping means comprise oneof a curved hook with a sharp edge on the interior of the hook.
 8. Selfgripping device of claim 1 wherein the gripping elements are elongatedflat members having at least one downwardly inclined narrow V-shapedcuts.